Author: shf317

The snow in recent two days added further depth to the soft white blanket on the ground. This does not stop us from going out and making this snow expedition. The destination is the Delaware and Lehigh Trail Bethlehem section, accompanied by Monocacy Creek, canal, view of Steelstacks.

At 10:00 AM on this sunny Saturday morning, we gathered at FML. We walked to the basketball court on the sand island. The view on the bridge was amazing, as the railroad and sand island were covered in snow. Sky was crystal blue.

We started the hike here from the basketball court:

Yes, there is a puppy, Marley, joining us. The trail was clearly visible, with passionate bikers already marked trails for us.

We went to check the ice thickness in the canal near the bank. It was durable but not worth further exploring. Marley walked on the ice and snow above the canal without problem.

We had some photos individually and in group. Walking in the snow is not as easy as imagined, as every step you stepped down might be shallow or deep, depending on how sturdy the snow in this place was. It was near the end of the trip, which is the other bridge near the casino, everyone was feeling something in their legs and knees.

In conversations, we marched back to campus through the greenway. It was a really good workout, good to get to know people, and enjoy the beautiful gift of the nature!

Writing, photography & trip leader: Shasha

Trip co-leader: Artemiza

 

Date: 2020-10-04, Sunday

It was a beautiful sunny Sunday morning. We started from the parking lot near Hellertown Historical Society, jumped onto the trail, and had a back-and-out hike toward Upper Saucon Township. This trail is embeded in dense forest, and accompanied by views of golf club, Saucon creek, beautiful lovely mansions. A favorite spot for residents nearby to bike and jog. The Upper Saucon Township has many sports facilities and is usually populated with kids and families in late afternoon and on weekends.

We enjoyed the sunshine and had lots of conversations on the road.

Lots of leaves were fallen and the ground was very colorful.

Bashir taught us how to pick up good walnuts and open them near water. No wonder squirrels like those nuts so much. The Saucon Rail Trail is covered with lots of walnut trees.

Draft: Shasha Feng
Photo: Shasha Feng

Date: 2020-09-26, Saturday

Time lapses in a blink of an eye. Soon the first month of a brand new semester has passed, with mounting course works, research tasks, and teaching loads. We came out to disc golf course in the South Mountains, enjoyed a picnic there, and learned some useful tricks about knot making.

Making the way to disc-golf course

So how did we make it to the picnic place, a hidden gem on the backside of Lehigh University campus? Of course, we are hikers! We took the bus (TapRide on weekends) from lower campus to the overlook place near a Greek dormitory. Starting from there, we hiked along the trail surrounding Sayre Field and then near South Mountain, finally arriving at the picnic place. Note that this trail is also pretty popular with mountain bikers. We picked up some sticks on the way, as pedagogical tools for later knot making lessons.

Filling up stomaches with rolls and wraps

We sat down and had some rolls and wraps bought from Costco. We introduced ourselves to each other, getting to know people and making new friends there. It was pretty cool weather. Lots of bugs, but glad that we brought bug spray there. After the brief lunch, some members also started to play discs like freebies.

Surviving skills in wilderness: knot making

Various forms of knots are used in daily outdoor setting. They can be useful for saving people’s lives, can give more peace of mind when camping in the back country, and they are also good friends of rocker climers. Artemiza, an avid fan of rock climbing, taught us 5 forms of knots. We gave out a rope of 2 meters to everyone. Members had lots of struggles learning the new knotting methods. After overcoming the initial learning curve, many who mastered a knot started to teach fellow members how to make them. Time passed without much notice. After 1.5 hr, everyone’s brain has a better sense of topology.

Concluding remarks

Arte said, ‘you can keep this knot in your backpack, it can save you lots of trouble in different situations’. We hope this rope, the knotting, and many future techniques and events we bring together can be valuable items in graduate students’ life, helping them go further and longer.

Drafting: Shasha Feng
Photo: Shasha Feng and Artemiza Martinez